OrcaSlicer for Voron — Complete Profile Setup and Tuning Guide

Software Slicer Guide

OrcaSlicer has rapidly become the go-to slicer for Voron owners in 2025. Originally forked from Bambu Studio, it adds deep Klipper integration, built-in calibration tools, and Voron-specific optimizations that other slicers lack. This guide covers the complete setup: downloading and installing OrcaSlicer, creating a Voron machine profile, building filament profiles for ABS/PLA/PETG/PC, using the built-in calibration suite, integrating with your Klipper PRINT_START macro, and tuning print settings for perfect Voron parts. Last updated: May 2025.

Download and Installation

OrcaSlicer is free and open-source. Download the latest release from the official GitHub releases page. Choose the correct build for your operating system:

• Windows: Download the .exe or .msi installer. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Portable .7z versions are also available.
• macOS: Download the .dmg file for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) or Intel. Drag to Applications folder. You may need to right-click and select Open to bypass Gatekeeper on first launch.
• Linux: Download the AppImage file. Make it executable with chmod +x OrcaSlicer*.AppImage and run it. Alternatively, use the .deb package for Debian/Ubuntu-based distros.

OrcaSlicer auto-updates are not yet available, so check back periodically for new releases. The project is actively maintained with updates roughly every 4-6 weeks.

Voron Machine Profile Setup

Setting up a correct machine profile is the foundation of good prints. Here are the key parameters for common Voron models:

Bed Dimensions

• Voron V2.4 (250mm): 250 x 250 x 250 mm
• Voron V2.4 (300mm): 300 x 300 x 300 mm
• Voron V2.4 (350mm): 350 x 350 x 330 mm
• Voron Trident (250mm): 250 x 250 x 250 mm
• Voron Trident (300mm): 300 x 300 x 300 mm
• Voron 0.2: 120 x 120 x 120 mm
• Voron Switchwire: 250 x 250 x 250 mm (bedslinger orientation)

Nozzle Offset and Retraction

• Nozzle type: Standard 0.4mm brass or hardened steel
• Retraction length: 0.6-1.0mm (direct drive, Voron standard)
• Retraction speed: 30-45 mm/s
• Z-hop: 0.2mm (optional, helps with tall prints)

Max Speeds and Acceleration Limits

• Max print speed: 300-500 mm/s (depending on your input shaper results)
• Max travel speed: 500-700 mm/s
• Max acceleration: 5000-20000 mm/s^2 (V2.4/Trident can push higher than 0.2)
• Max acceleration (V0.2): 8000-12000 mm/s^2
• Max volumetric speed: 12-15 mm^3/s for ABS, 8-10 for PLA

These are starting points. Run OrcaSlicer's Max Volumetric Speed test and your Klipper input shaper calibration to dial in your printer's actual capabilities.

Voron Filament Profiles

ABS Profile (Voron Printed Parts)

• Nozzle temp: 245-255C (first layer 255C, others 250C)
• Bed temp: 100-110C (first layer 110C, others 105C)
• Print chamber: Enclosed, 45-60C chamber temperature ideal
• Part cooling fan: 0% for first 10 layers, then 10-20% max
• Aux cooling fan: Off
• Max volumetric speed: 12 mm^3/s (start conservative)
• Retraction: 0.8mm at 35 mm/s
• Build plate: PEI textured or smooth with glue stick

PLA Profile (Door Open, Fan On)

• Nozzle temp: 210-220C
• Bed temp: 55-65C
• Print chamber: Door open or panels removed (enclosure too hot for PLA)
• Part cooling fan: 50-100% starting from layer 2
• Aux cooling fan: On at 50-80%
• Max volumetric speed: 8-10 mm^3/s
• Retraction: 0.6mm at 40 mm/s

PETG Profile

• Nozzle temp: 235-245C
• Bed temp: 75-85C
• Print chamber: Enclosure preferred, door slightly cracked
• Part cooling fan: 20-40% (too much fan reduces layer adhesion)
• Max volumetric speed: 8-10 mm^3/s
• Retraction: 0.8mm at 30 mm/s (PETG is stringy)
• Build plate: PEI with glue stick or Wipe-On adhesion promoter

Polycarbonate (PC) Profile

• Nozzle temp: 260-290C (all-metal hotend required)
• Bed temp: 110-120C
• Print chamber: Fully enclosed, 60C+ chamber temp ideal
• Part cooling fan: 0% (PC needs no cooling)
• Max volumetric speed: 6-8 mm^3/s
• Retraction: 0.5mm at 25 mm/s
• Build plate: PEI with high-temp adhesive or PC sheet
• Note: Dry PC at 110C for 8+ hours before printing

OrcaSlicer Calibration Tools

One of OrcaSlicer's biggest advantages is its built-in calibration suite. These tools generate test objects with automated G-code that works with Klipper's TUNING_TOWER system. Run them in this order:

Pressure Advance (PA) Tower

Navigate to Calibration > Pressure Advance > PA Tower. OrcaSlicer generates a test tower with increasing PA values. Use the Klipper TUNING_TOWER command during the print to find the optimal value. Start with a PA of 0.02-0.06 for direct drive extruders.

Temperature Tower

Calibration > Temperature > Temperature Tower. Tests a range of nozzle temperatures to find the sweet spot for your filament brand/color. The tower prints from high temp at the bottom to low temp at the top. Look for the best surface finish and layer adhesion.

Max Volumetric Speed Test

Calibration > Max Volumetric Speed. Prints a series of increasing flow rate blocks. Inspect each block for underextrusion — the highest block without defects is your max volumetric speed. For ABS on a Voron, expect 12-15 mm^3/s with a standard CHT nozzle.

Flow Rate Calibration

Calibration > Flow Rate. The flow test prints small blocks at varying extrusion multipliers (0.90-1.10). Measure the top surface quality with calipers or visually inspect for the smoothest finish. Save the ideal multiplier in your filament profile.

Retraction Test

Calibration > Retraction. Tests retraction length and speed combinations. For direct drive Vorons, the optimal range is 0.4-1.2mm. Look for minimal stringing between the test pillars.

OrcaSlicer Voron Presets

OrcaSlicer ships with community-contributed Voron presets. On first launch, you can select your Voron model from the printer list. These presets include correct bed dimensions, default speeds, and G-code templates. However, you should still customize them for your specific build:

• Update nozzle and build plate type to match your hardware
• Adjust acceleration limits based on your input shaper results
• Add your filament profiles for the materials you actually use
• Customize the start/end G-code to integrate with your PRINT_START macro

Print Settings for Voron Parts

Perimeter Count

4 perimeters (walls) is standard for ABS Voron structural parts. The Voron printed parts (VORON2.4 parts, Trident parts, etc.) are designed with 4 walls in mind. This gives adequate strength without excessive print time. For non-structural parts, 3 perimeters is sufficient.

Infill

40% gyroid infill is the recommended default for Voron structural parts. Gyroid provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio and doesn't create crossing paths that cause nozzle collisions. For cosmetic parts, 15-25% gyroid or grid is fine.

Supports

Use Snug supports for Voron parts with overhangs. Organic (tree) supports work well for complex geometries but can be harder to remove from small features. Set support threshold angle to 50-55 degrees — Voron parts are designed to print without supports for most features.

Layer Height

• 0.2mm: Standard for Voron structural parts
• 0.16mm: For finer detail on cosmetic parts
• 0.24mm: Draft mode, faster prints with acceptable quality

OrcaSlicer G-Code for Voron

PRINT_START Macro Integration

The most important integration is calling your Klipper PRINT_START macro from OrcaSlicer's start G-code. A typical Voron start G-code in OrcaSlicer looks like this:

M104 S0  ; Turn off hotend while heating bed
M140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature]  ; Set bed temp
PRINT_START BED=[first_layer_bed_temperature] HOTEND=[first_layer_temperature]
M109 S[first_layer_temperature]  ; Wait for hotend
M107  ; Turn off fan

This uses OrcaSlicer's placeholder variables ([first_layer_bed_temperature], [first_layer_temperature]) to pass the correct temperatures to your macro.

End G-Code

M400  ; Wait for all moves
M104 S0  ; Turn off hotend
M140 S0  ; Turn off bed
PRINT_END

Replace PRINT_START and PRINT_END calls with whatever macro names you use in your Klipper config.

Exclude Object Setup

OrcaSlicer supports Klipper's exclude object feature. In the printer settings, enable Exclude Object under the G-code section. This adds EXCLUDE_OBJECT_DEFINE and EXCLUDE_OBJECT_START/EXCLUDE_OBJECT_END commands to the G-code. In Mainsail or Fluidd, you can click on individual objects during a multi-part print to cancel them.

Adaptive Layer Height

OrcaSlicer's adaptive layer height feature (under Quality > Adaptive Layer Height) can significantly improve print quality on curved surfaces. Enable it and set the maximum height to 0.24mm and minimum to 0.08mm. This is especially useful for Voron parts with angled overhangs like the V2.4 skirts or the Stealthburner cowling.

OrcaSlicer vs Bambu Studio vs SuperSlicer

For most Voron owners in 2025, OrcaSlicer is the best choice. It combines the polished UI of Bambu Studio with the Klipper-focused features that Voron users need. SuperSlicer remains a solid option if you prefer its advanced tuning knobs, but its slower development pace makes OrcaSlicer the better long-term bet.

Profiles Download

Ready-to-use OrcaSlicer profiles for Voron V2.4, Trident, V0.2, and Switchwire are available from the Voron community. Import them via File > Import > Import Configs from OrcaSlicer's menu. You can also find the latest profiles in the Voron Discord's #slicer-profiles channel. Always verify bed dimensions, probe offsets, and custom G-code after importing.

Happy printing! OrcaSlicer gives you the perfect balance of ease of use and deep control for your Voron.